Camshaft
Huskerville USA
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Joined: 02/25/2003
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Our Wildcat moves around quite a bit when we're walking around....more than our Montana did. Yesterday, while the wife was on the roof putting the A/C cover on for the winter, I was struck by just how much movement there was. As I watched it move around, it seemed as though the scissor jacks (our Montana had the telescoping style) offered little resistance to the side to side movement. It also dawned on me that could be the reason some trailers I've seen with scissor style jacks have them at an angle to the mainframe, rather than perpendicular like our Wildcat. It appeared that the linkage pivot points in the scissor jack was allowing some side to side movement. Is that the theory in mounting them at an angle (to the mainframe and to each other)?
2006 Wildcat 29RLBS/1999 Dodge 2500 CTD
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tundracamper
Southeast US
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Joined: 09/30/2002
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I hope you get some good responses. I know my scissor jacks move all over the place because of the way they are bolted to an I-beam frame. I have considered the Solid-Setters sold on e-bay and the JT's RV Accessory system (don't recall the model name). However, those are pricey options. I've also considered the Wayne's RV stabilizer, but I don't really want one other thing to set-up at each campground and then have to store.
My only concern regarding the telescoping kind is the bracing on top of them. I ran into a fellow that said his flexed in the middle too much (up-down), which allowed sideways movement of the trailer. I also read on someone that bought the real heavy-duty electric scissor jacks (I think they're made by Ultra Fab). Anyway, in his thread, he mentioned that the power screw in the center of the main body was not restrained from moving around. Just that little bit of flex made it where he didn't get much extra stability from sideways movement. I'm not sure what really works now!
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tundracamper
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Camshaft
every trailer, RV, we've had I added Bal across the frame type stabilizers to the rear. My last two 5ers came with the scissor type that do nothing for rear sway. Mine do flex in the center a little as tundra mentioned but they still do a better job than the scissor jacks. I added a wood block to the center that stopped the flex. Now I need to get it attached permanetly this winter......JIM
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach Linex
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er with two slides 16" BFG Commercial LTs
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dnix@ra.rockwell
Columbia, SC
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I have started to level with the front landing gear and then lower the rear stabilizers (the largest scissors BAL makes) until the nose is about 1-1.5" low. Then I raise the front again with the landing gear to level. This takes a lot of weight off of the springs and makes a very noticeable difference in the bunkroom (where my girls are) where most of our movement comes from.
M. Dean Nix
ex-Silent Service
'01 F250, Crew Cab, 4x4, Lariat, LWB, V-10 & 4.3 rear-end
'05 Gulf Stream Canyon Trail, 31FRBH (double slides)
36RQ Winnebego Chieftain P30 454 (Last RV, ebay purchase, great story)(SOLD)
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The Texan
Summer: Cascade, Idaho - Winter: Quartzsite, AZ
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I'm watching this thread with interest, as I have the same problem. I've heard that using a good wheel lock between the duals will kill about 95% of the rocking. Anyone verify that?
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & FT Class of 2002
'05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins, 405w/23A solar sys -With-'05 GMC Sierra LT, CC, Z-71, W/ Arctic Cat 500A & Suzuki KQ 400A, riding in or behind the pusher.
Where the wheels are stopped
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F550-4X4
Cloverdale, IN, USA
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Joined: 05/07/2004
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F550-4X4 wrote:I replaced my factory scissor jacks on the back with the longer reach BAL telescoping stabilizer jacks. I then mounted the old scissor jacks right in front of the axles to eliminate tire and suspension bounce. With the RotoChoks and the added stabilizers I can't feel any movement inside the camper.
I do think that the telescoping jacks help with the side-to-side movement.
Good luck and happy camping!
2000 F-550 4X4 Super Hauler Conversion
2004 Wilderness Advantage AX6 38 Ft. Quad Slide Fifth Wheel
1993 Chevy 2500 Suburban 4X4 7.4L
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Sandy & Shirley
North East, MD
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tundracamper wrote:. . . I've also considered the Wayne's RV stabilizer, but I don't really want one other thing to set-up at each campground and then have to store.
We had the same problem with side-to-side movement and decided to go with the Wayne's stabilizer. We are very pleased with the results. Yes it is one more thing to set up and store, but setup and storage is quite easy. The storage bag is a little smaller and lighter than a folding chair.
One caution with this type of stabilizer is to make sure ou have a solid surface to mount it under. DO NOT mount it under your rear cap.
We wrote a review of the Wayne's stabilizer with some pictures of how we installed it. The review is posted on our web site.
'02 F350 7.3PSD CC LB DRW, Reese 20K Hitch, Brake Smart, AirLift, C-betr mirrors,
'04 Everest 343L, TrailAir, RotoChoks, Wayne's stabilizer
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FiverBob
Sarasota, Florida USA
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From a mathematic viewpoint, the triangle effect (BAL drop down arm) will do much better at stabilizing the side movement of the back of the coach. It will do nothing for the fore/aft movement - - still need chocks for that. If it still bothers you, the kingpin stabilizer does a good job at finishing the task.
Bob
2003 Dodge 3500 HO dually 6 speed Laramie, Jordan Controller, RDS aux tank/tool box, Bremen boards, RamAirIII, Jacobs EBrake, Air Safe 25K hitch
Carriage 36' Triple slide Fiver, Onan Gen, Sat, Prosine Inv., MORryd IS and pinbox
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tundracamper
Southeast US
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The Texan wrote:I'm watching this thread with interest, as I have the same problem. I've heard that using a good wheel lock between the duals will kill about 95% of the rocking. Anyone verify that?
The wheel chocks will only take out the front-back motion. I have heavy duty wheel chocks on both sides. I have no problems with front-back motion. They do NOTHING for side-side motion, however.
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Camshaft
Huskerville USA
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Joined: 02/25/2003
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Perhaps I should have just asked if those with angled scissor jacks have much in the way of side movement. By the way...dnix...your method I'm sure does take most of the movement out...but I think you are putting things in a pretty good bind in order to do so. I admit that with the big jacks it's pretty easy to crank the back end up, however....
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